Smith sustained the injury at first slip while attempting to catch a thick edge from South Africa’s captain Temba Bavuma at Lord’s.
Due to many edges not reaching the slips cordon throughout the match, Smith stood closer than normal to the wickets, just 14 meters behind Bavuma, and was wearing a helmet when Mitchell Starc bowled a 138 kph short delivery.
Smith raised his hands but was not quick enough to secure the shoulder-high catch. He exited the field immediately.
“We’re fortunate it didn’t hit him in the head,” remarked teammate Beau Webster.
He was taken to the hospital for further treatment, according to a statement from the team.
The update did not specify how long he would be out, but the injury raises questions about his participation in the upcoming three-test series against the West Indies starting on June 25, following the WTC final.
South Africa was aiming to chase down 282 runs on day three to win the scheduled five-day final.
